Internal Discontent at CBS News Over New Leadership

Insiders at CBS News are expressing opposition towards their new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, citing her as either “too progressive” or “very old.”

Weiss was appointed after her previous publisher, The Free Press, was acquired by Paramount. This decision sparked criticism from both within the organization and outside it; colleagues voiced concerns about her background in opinion journalism and limited television experience. However, CBS News officials suggest that the dissenting voices come from two distinct factions.

One source noted, “Really young people, frankly, feel that older staffers, who idolize Walter Cronkite’s CBS News, struggle to adapt to the changing media landscape. They worry about a brand that may not resonate anymore.” A CBS News official expressed shock that Weiss was chosen by Paramount’s CEO, David Ellison, to steer the news division.

Individuals in the older generation lament that their colleagues are struggling to keep pace, while younger staffers clash with Weiss over her pro-Israel stance and anti-woke sentiment.

“It felt like everyone wanted to innovate,” they remarked.

Despite the divisions, officials assert that many in the newsroom recognize Weiss’s success with her previous media ventures and believe she’s attuned to contemporary American perspectives.

One source speculated, “Maybe a shift was necessary, even if it might lead to a less prominent position for CBS.”

Another colleague stated, “I didn’t believe she would dismantle our brand; in fact, I’ve found her approach intellectually stimulating.” They indicated that the reactions from some colleagues reflect a broader reluctance in broadcast news to evolve, hurting careers along the way.

“I never thought she’d ruin our brand. You’d expect a No. 3 network to be open to new ideas,” the source added, emphasizing that both CBS Evening News and CBS Mornings frequently trail behind competitors like ABC and NBC.

Since her appointment, Weiss conducted interviews on “60 Minutes” with notable figures including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, discussing a peace deal involving Hamas and Israel. She also featured a whistleblower critical of the Trump Justice Department.

Weiss’s inquiries into employees’ daily tasks have drawn ire from the Writers Guild of America East, which represents some CBS staff. They raised concerns that responding to her could lead to repercussions. In response, CBS assured employees they would not face penalties for not engaging with Weiss’s requests for operational updates.

Insiders expressed surprise at the backlash from both the guild and colleagues.

“I appreciated that she was interested in our work,” one source remarked. “It seems odd that it was perceived negatively; she just wants to gain insight into our processes.”

Yet, there’s considerable dissatisfaction both within and outside CBS regarding Weiss’s leadership style. The Status newsletter labeled her as “one of the most polarizing figures in the media,” and cautioned about the rapid changes taking place at CBS News.

The New York Times noted that staff members of “60 Minutes” were taken aback by Weiss’s inquiry into perceptions of the show’s liberal bias, with some sources describing her early tenure as “chaotic.”

Weiss has also faced criticism from various liberals, including John Oliver and former CBS anchor Dan Rather.

Despite the wave of criticism, some insiders welcome the shift in CBS News, appreciating that the team no longer feels pressured to maintain a politically correct facade as they did under previous management.

“We needed fresh energy,” they concluded. “She faced adversity right from the start.”